Prince of Darkness

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Prince of Darkness

R

Released Oct 21, 1987

1h 42m

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

63%

Tomatometer

40 Reviews

61%

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10,000+ Ratings

Poking around in a church cellar, a priest (Donald Pleasence) finds an otherworldly vial filled with slime. Frightened, he brings his discovery to a circle of top scholars and scientists, who eventually learn that the strange liquid is the essence of Satan. The slime then begins to seep out, turning some of the academics into zombified killers. As the possessed battle the survivors, student Kelly (Susan Blanchard) is infected by a large quantity of the liquid and becomes Satan personified.

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Critics Consensus

Prince of Darkness has a handful of chillingly clever ideas, but they aren't enough to put John Carpenter's return to horror at the same level as his classic earlier outings.

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Phil Hoad

Guardian

Close to a decade's experience in horror pays off, with Carpenter working the audience with jump-scares and revolting demises like an old pro.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 25, 2018

Full Review

Michael Wilmington

Los Angeles Times

John Carpenter seems to be hovering between cold-eyed mechanical fear-making and horror camp.

Oct 5, 2018

Full Review

Dave Kehr

Chicago Tribune

''Prince of Darkness'' is a real tour de force, and a welcome return.

Oct 5, 2018

Full Review

Brian Bisesi

Horror Movie Club Podcast

While the film’s heady concepts don’t ultimately amount to much in the film’s otherwise exciting conclusion, they make for an interesting journey of discovery alongside Carpenter’s somewhat forgettable cast of characters.

Rated: 3.5/5

Nov 6, 2024

Full Review

Justine Smith

Vague Visages

The pitiful villainy at play within Prince of Darkness only points to humanity’s fundamental weakness: the fragility of our mortal bodies and our inability to face that truth.

Jun 5, 2024

Full Review

Kristy Strouse

Wonderfully Weird and Horrifying

This take on demonic horror is truly a strange bit of cinema, but a welcoming addition to a long list of talented work. Come for Carpenter, stay for the weird.

Dec 1, 2023

Full Review

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Ollie W

The dialogue is risible. I usually love 80s horror synth soundtracks but there are moments where it really doesn’t work here. Certainly not a scary film. Can’t say I cared about any of the characters. While I’m a big fan of The Thing and a few other John Carpenter films, this one has no redeeming value whatsoever. Casting the rock singer Alice Cooper as a homeless man is distracting. It was meant to build up mystery and intrigue but it’s as silly as a low budget children’s TV show.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

11/13/24

Full Review

Chief B

This is for me one of John Carpenter's finest works. Honestly I don't get why some people dislike this movie. The story is great and original , the atmosphere is creepy, the effects are insanely stylish and well done. I love this movie and John Carpenter is one of my favorite directors. His movies after in the mouth of madness are definitely not good but everything before included in the mouth of madness are top notch.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/26/24

Full Review

Greybrother D

Not a movie everyone is going to jive with. It can come off as either strange and boring, or as a deft experiment in mood and a slow building dread, treading in some fascinating ideas on the metaphysical and supernatural. It's really a little of both, and only works precariously if at all, but it's John Carpenter doing his thing. Worth watching more for the vibe than for a riveting story.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/09/24

Full Review

Tim B

Legit one of the most effective low budget horrors of all time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/23/24

Full Review

Steve C

A great old fashioned horror starring the great Donald Pleasence.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/19/24

Full Review

Aldis H

One of my favorite horror movies. I've seen it at least five times. The future communication thing is a great idea and very scary.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/11/24

Full Review

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John Carpenter

Director

Donald Pleasence

Priest

Jameson Parker

Brian Marsh

Victor Wong

Prof. Howard Birack

Lisa Blount

Catherine Danforth

Dennis Dun

Walter

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Prince of Darkness: Official Clip - Undying Evil

1:34

Prince of Darkness: Official Clip - You Will Not Be Saved!

1:55

Prince of Darkness: Official Clip - The Devil's Spit

2:00

Prince of Darkness: Official Clip - Bicycle Stab

1:14

Prince of Darkness: Official Clip - Axe-Wielding Exorcist

2:31

Prince of Darkness: Official Clip - Susan Possessed

1:07

Prince of Darkness: Official Clip - Satanic Zombie Attack

2:51

Prince of Darkness: Official Clip - Touched by a Devil

1:49

Prince of Darkness: Official Clip - Satanic Slime

2:41

Prince of Darkness: Official Clip - Pray for Death

2:15

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Synopsis

Poking around in a church cellar, a priest (Donald Pleasence) finds an otherworldly vial filled with slime. Frightened, he brings his discovery to a circle of top scholars and scientists, who eventually learn that the strange liquid is the essence of Satan. The slime then begins to seep out, turning some of the academics into zombified killers. As the possessed battle the survivors, student Kelly (Susan Blanchard) is infected by a large quantity of the liquid and becomes Satan personified.

Director: John Carpenter
Producer: Larry J. Franco
Screenwriter: John Carpenter
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Alive Films
Rating: R
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 21, 1987, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 6, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.9M
Runtime: 1h 42m
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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